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Workout Wednesday

Sorry that I missed the last two Wednesdays, but vacation just got in the way.

About two and a half weeks before I left for vacation I realized that although I was working out regularly and getting lots of exercise I just wasn’t dropping any weight.  It was time to get tough on me.  I gave up everything I love.  I severely cut back on all form of carbs, snacks and treats. I ate extra protein, lots of vegetables and plenty of fruit.  In two and a half weeks I dropped twelve pounds.  TWELVE! 12!  I was very impressed with myself as I had been trying to drop the weight since January.

However, I was also going to the Beach.  Land of cotton candy, salt water taffy, pizza, lemon ice, candy and all things delicious and not good for you.  First thing we do when we arrive is head to Grotto’s Pizza, it was delicious and decadent.  I was full after two pieces and did not feel well later that night.  Serves me right to over do it on the first day.  After Grotto’s we get our groceries.  We bought healthy choices for breakfast and lunch, which we were eating in, and tried our best to eat well at night.

The biggest thing we did that made a difference was walk.  We were farther from the beach this year, so we had a two and a half block walk to the beach and back every morning, twice, once for coffee and then for swimming.  Then we would head out for an afternoon stroll, back to the cottage, then out for supper, then walking the boardwalk every night.  The boardwalk is a mile long so we would go to one end and back and up and down many of the streets.  Hubby and I figured we burned at least an extra 1000 calories a day walking, at least.  This does not take into account the walks up and down the beach, running after Apple and the dips in the Ocean.

Upon our return, I was nervous.  Despite buying two pairs of pants a size smaller, I thought I might have gained it all back, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was only up a couple of pounds which came right back off after a day at home.  So, I blame those pounds on the drive home and the salty snacks we had for the last couple of hours of the ride.

Now that we are home, I will need to get back into my routine of working out.  So far, we have had three days of walking, but I fear it is not enough.  Hubby (who joined me in the cutting back) has already hit the gym, hopefully I will join him tomorrow.

And for now, my best recommendation to keep it off while on vacation is to walk, walk everywhere you can to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of your vacation adventure.

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

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Categories: The Beach, Vacation, Workout Wednesday

Ah yes, the last week of School for J. Add to that a wonderful heat wave that robbed me of power last evening, I did not get my Workout Wednesday post up. And today was one of those bittersweet days for J, happy to be finished school and starting Grade 1 in the Fall, but sad to say good-bye to his teacher and a few friends that are moving away.

This Wednesday also saw the end of the Fit-in 15 Challenge set out by Andrea. We never really only added 15 minutes, it always seemed to end up being 30 minutes of dancing, biking, swimming, walking and once the stairs. And since I did 15 minutes on the stairs myself after the kids went to bed it was only 15 minutes, my legs were hurting the next day for sure.

Add to the fit in 15 my twice daily walks to School and back and three 3k walks, I think I had a pretty fit week. The only thing is that I didn’t do any strength training workouts this week. The wedding wiped me out for a couple of days and I just didn’t get it back. I am feeling better and slimmer though and almost ready for the Beach.

This week I wanted to share with you the Superman. It is a core strength exercise and if you alternate between the front and back Superman you will find that your whole body pretty much hurts.

J did the honours of taking photos for me this week, but please excuse the swimming hair and lack of exercise clothes. I had already been swimming and did not feel like changing yet again for photos.

Oh yes, and ignore Spongebob in the background, we were taking a break from outside.

Front Superman.

Lie flat on your belly, extend arms and legs, lift as high as you can off the ground, hold for three seconds release or flip to the back. Do 12 -15 reps.

Back Superman.

Flip over from your front to your back and hold for three seconds. Repeat. Or start by lying on your back legs and arms extended, lift off the floor and hold for three seconds. Do 12 – 15 reps.

If you have never tried this one, I guarantee that you will feel the burn the next day.

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

2 comments
Categories: Exercise, Workout Wednesday

This week has been a mostly cardio week for me.  Not only have I been running, but I have been running around a lot it seems. Even if most of it has been in my backyard.  I got in three 3k walks and two 3k runs and only one strength training.  When the weather is this good it is really hard to stay inside to workout.  I think I will try to do some outside routines in this next week.

I was going to share with you the ‘Superman’, but I will save it for next week.

Andrea over at The Fishbowl has brought forward a challenge, complete with prizes.  And I am not one to back down from a challenge that is for sure.  The challenge is to add 15 minutes of focused activity into your day. Since I am already trying to fit in some extra activity into my day, I thought I would take this challenge to add something different that I normally wouldn’t do or wouldn’t consider activity.

Today, I did 15 minutes of focused activity running the circumference of my pool (while in the water).  This is my first Fit-in 15 activity.  We do this occasionally for fun, we run in a circle in the pool, which is 15′, to get a whirlpool effect going.  So , today I got in there and ran and ran and then I changed direction and did it again.  Changing direction is quite difficult because you get the water going pretty fast, then you have to run against the current until the current changes with you.

So, what are you going to do to add 15 minutes of focused activity to your day?

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

1 comment
Categories: Exercise, Workout Wednesday